The iPhone 16 design won’t be anything new. Have we reached the “perfect” iPhone look?

A recent rumor is talking about Apple using a new technology to achieve slimmer bezels on the iPhone 16. The tech is called BRS, or Border Reduction Structure. There are already methods to ensure slimmer bezels on the top and side, and this new tech is said to help slim down the bottom bezel. 

All in all, we expect the iPhone 16 to come with even thinner bezels than the iPhone 15. And the tech is said to come to both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro.

• iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: differences, predictions, expectations

Now, look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the S24 Ultra. For now, we're focusing on the bezels only (I'll talk about the Dynamic Island later on).




All that is comes to illustrate that a change that slims the bezels a tiny little bit more isn't that big of a design change.

iPhone 16 camera alignment: is reverting back to an old design considered a new design?

You've all probably heard the rumors about the "new" camera alignment on the iPhone 16. We hear the camera lenses will be positioned under each other instead of diagonally like on the 15. That change is rumored to be needed for spatial video recording for the Vision Pro that Apple is trying to make a thing.

But is this design really new? You probably know it's not. We have it on the iPhone 12. A slimmer island would be similar to the iPhone X.



So this design isn't anything new and dramatic. If it ends up happening, it will be for practical purposes, not just for the looks.

Has Apple found the perfect iPhone design?

Many people tend to point the finger at Apple for the lack of innovation in their designs. But is this really due to just being late to the party? Or has Apple found a design that... just works?

Over the years, we've had incremental changes to the design, but nothing dramatic. Apple is in refinement mode, instead of experimentation mode.

For example, 2023 Pro iPhones came with titanium replacing the stainless steel frame. This change in design didn't bring anything dramatic to the looks of the device, except for colors (but I don't really consider colors a design change, per se). The titanium frame, however, was introduced with the main aim to help with weight.


The rest of the changes in the iPhone design over the last few years were minimal. All in all, you notice these changes when you search for them. If you're less focused on noticing design differences, they're almost... nonexistent.

The quest for perfection

Of course, nothing is perfect in life. And neither is the iPhone. Apple has at least a couple more things to work on (design-wise) to get itself even closer to perfection.


Another thing that Apple may be looking into for a perfect iPhone is a bezel-less iPhone. Reports claim Apple is looking into ways to get rid of the bezels completely, and also looking into UPC (Under Panel Camera) for future models. But those are still rumors.

But even so, my bet is that a bezel-less iPhone will look very similar to current iPhones. Yep, without bezels or Dynamic Island or what have you. But will still likely be a 'glass sandwich' with a similar display ratio and sizes.

All that is to say is that Apple may have reached the limits of phone design, and the iPhone is near perfect for its materials, features, and use case. I'd reckon the next big step in the way mobile tech looks is something that doesn't look like a smartphone at all. So maybe a ring, or smart glasses, or a chip under your skin. Whatever it is, I believe it's not going to be in the shape of a phone anyway.